From:
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2004 2:40 PM
To: Miles, Patricia Cc: 'J. M. Knapp'
Subject: Recommendation 67
Dear Ms. Miles,
I hope you can help us and many other dedicated Child Support Payers in our
state
We pay 3750 in spousal support for 50/50 joint custody of four children. The
marriage ended due to several counts of infidelity on behalf of the CP. She has
recently remarried. He has an annual income of 40,000.
What I am writing to you today is to ask you to be aware of the people that
are taking advantage of your efforts and this system. Please reconsider your
position on the following items:
1.) Child Support based on ACCURATE average expenses. Do you honestly believe
it costs 3750 to house, feed, clothe and transport 4 children for 15 days a
month? 2.) Be accountable for the money received - In the Electronic Age this is
not difficult or costly. I would be happy to volunteer my consulting services to
assist the state with this effort.
The system is clear on what will happen if we don't pay child support. What
about a system if the CP doesn't provide for the child? We have witnessed the
support paying for ski trips to Vail without the children, new custom home, 4
vehicles in 6 months, art work, all leather furniture (kids aren't allowed to
sit on) and so on. Imagine if you received an extra to 4000 tax free each month,
no questions asked?
3.) Define "Needs" of a child? Since it is 'gray' it is subject to
the greed of the recipient. The CP will pay for NOTHING. Not school pictures,
school lunches, extra curricular activities, haircuts, nothing. These are
examples, in my opinion, of 'standard needs' but since needs are not defined,
she is not required to pay.
4.) Percentage of income for extra curricular activities - Where is the
incentive for the lower percentage contributor to increase their income? If a
person is told they have 10% of the joint income. If they get a better job, work
more days, they will have to pay more and receive less, what do you think the
chances are that person will do it? Slim to none? With this equation in place,
the CP would be foolish to contribute more to the joint income. Please stop
penalizing the parent that is working to provide for their children.
5.) "Higher income life style" - What proof do we have the children
get the lifestyle of a higher income? The children are NOT receiving this money.
My step son asked me what 'his' rights were to this money? The children asked to
take swim lessons. The CP said that only rich people belong to the YMCA.
6.) What is included in the "income of a higher standard of
living"? We pay this ridiculous amount of money for 15 days of custody.
Then when a child wants to go to a local lacrosse camp with his friends the bill
is 450, we are required to pay 95% of that in addition to our monthly child
support? If we have to pay child support for 50/50 custody because my husband
works very hard to earn a good salary, what expenses does this include?
Unfortunately we are providing a very good lifestyle for the CP. If you have
50/50 custody, either you pay custody OR extra curricular activities NOT both.
And if you pay custody, the CHILDREN need to get the money.
Tomorrow we are to appear in court. We are being "sued" for the 4th
time in 2 months.
My husband gets them ready for school, breakfast and groomed. He has to be at
work at 7:45 a.m. He is routinely late because he walks them to the bus stop.
While we walk them to the bus, the conversation is mommy house this or daddy's
house that, etc. Divorce is hard enough on a child without this constant bitter
fight for every dollar. I was taught to earn the money in my pocket.
You have the power to correct the system so that the children will benefit
and eliminate the power of the CP to use children as a cash cow. Greed is a
natural human emotion. Unfortunately it has the power to hurt innocent people. \
The day of the deadbeat dad is long over. Today we have deadbeat moms too.
Please help. Where is the Justice for All?
Thank you for your time. I appreciate the opportunity to be heard.
Thank you,
